1
as in troubled
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in depressed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't let all the bad news distress you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distressed
Diana Olick, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
As much as the cap growth era has taken some of the sting out of targeting teams with distressed assets as a means of both improving your NHL lineup while simultaneously adding future value, there’s still utility to speculating in struggling veteran players on inefficient or inconvenient contracts.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
For some with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), they may be distressed by the prospect of germs or how foods are prepared.
—Dr. Ellen S. Rome, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distressed
Adjective
The increase was driven by the beleaguered office sector, which has a lot of distressed properties to work through but is seeing improvements in fundamentals.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
As much as the cap growth era has taken some of the sting out of targeting teams with distressed assets as a means of both improving your NHL lineup while simultaneously adding future value, there’s still utility to speculating in struggling veteran players on inefficient or inconvenient contracts.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Ukrainian drone operators were reportedly distressed at having to kill horses, but have apparently adopted new tactics.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
For some with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), they may be distressed by the prospect of germs or how foods are prepared.
—Dr. Ellen S. Rome, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressed
Adjective
-
Still, the Bahamian trade route, which began picking up steam in the early months of 2025, has become a key piece of California’s troubled supply chain.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Still, the Bahamian trade route, which began picking up steam in the early months of 2025, has become a key piece of California’s troubled supply chain.—
Will Kubzansky,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And very plain and simple, just depressed.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Nora Ephron for depressed perverts.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An Indian colleague was alarmed by the praise for colonialism.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The Palantir executive was alarmed by the implication of Anthropic’s inquiry that the company might resist the use of its technology in a US military operation, and reported the conversation back to the Pentagon, a senior Defense Department official said.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Dickinson appeared somewhere between perturbed and seething.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
As a Broward resident, I am deeply disturbed by the systematic failure of our state attorney’s offfice to prosecute the exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Matkom was disturbed by the residents' testimony.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But Funk’s reassurances was enough to quell the agitated crowd.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Our divisions are constantly nudged, magnified, monetized, and weaponized by systems that profit from keeping us emotionally engaged and perpetually agitated.—
Joe Palaggi,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the table is so congested that putting any kind of winning run together could make a real difference while the teams above them are distracted by European commitments.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Clearly, that’s to capture those kids still off from school versus the fall, when they’re distracted with myriad school activities.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
And last week a federal judge upheld an Illinois state law, the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, which bans swipe fees on taxes and tips, which could lead to higher card fees and reduced rewards.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressed. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
